Idea
Mapping

Idea Mapping is a powerful
whole-brained visual thinking tool that enhances memory, note taking skills,
thought organization, planning, and communication. It uses color,
keywords, lines and pictures to connect thoughts associatively. Idea Maps allow you to use
your verbal and numerical intelligences, combined with the explosive power of
your creative intelligence. They are the natural expression of the way
the brain operates.

Idea
Mapping is a simple and profound tool that helps individuals improve
planning, creativity, thinking and learning, while simultaneously creating and
producing incredible results. An Idea
Map is a colorful, single-page diagram that visually captures
issues we face each day. This technique gives people the increased
ability to more competently plan, organize, communicate, remember, innovate,
and learn -- and accomplish these faster than ever before! By engaging
both hemispheres of the brain, this approach frees us to think, see, and
understand far more efficiently than when using a multi-page, linear document
outlining the same information. The associative process that Idea Mapping
uses will clarify your thinking, is easy to learn, and mirrors how the brain
naturally and freely connects information.

Idea Map

An
idea map is used to brainstorm ideas and develop thoughts. Idea maps start with
the main idea or a problem in the middle of the screen. You record ideas
associated with this topic in symbols that radiate from it. The symbols connect
to the main idea with links. Subtopics or specific details are then added to
those ideas.

Let
the ideas flow and then step back and look at the main themes, patterns, or
possible solutions. Idea maps can be used for individual or group
brainstorming, planning, problem solving, or report writing.